Latch mechanism



April 7, 1959 E. B. JACOBSON LATCH MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June22, 1955 [N V EN TOR.

April 7, 1959 E. B. JACOBSON LATCH MECHANISM Filed June 22, 1955 3Sheets-Sheet 2 M; MW

April 1959 E. B. JACOBSON 2,881,021

LATCH MECHANISM Fild June 22, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 I INVENTOR.

Unite 11.); .i

LATCH MECHANISM Application June'22, 1955, Serial No. 517,166

11 Claims. (Cl. 292-229) This invention relates to an improved latchmechanism of the type which imparts a substantial closing force to thedoor or other closure with which it is associated. It is an object ofthe invention to provide an improved latch mechanism of that character.

Latch mechanisms employed on refrigerator doors and in various otherapplications are conventionally designed to provide a substantial doorclosing force after the door has closely approached its closed position."In the case of refrigerator doors, this closing force exerted by thelatch mechanism serves to compress the sealing gasket in order toprovide a tight seal without reliance upon the operator slamming orpressing the door closed with sufiicient force that the operator himselfadequately compresses the gasket.

Latch mechanisms of this class are of two basic types. In one form themain latch spring which exerts the desired gasket-compressing force isenergized during the opening of the door and is held or cocked in itsenergized position until it is tripped by the closing of the door. Theother basic type is one in which the latch bolt is retracted uponopening the door without energizatton of the main latch spring, thelatch bolt being re turned to its normal or closed position while thedoor is open. During the subsequent closing of the door, the latch boltis forced from its normal position to its retracted position against theaction of the main latch spring. The main spring being thus energized isable to provide the desired gasket-compressing force during the lastportion of closing movement of the door.

The'present invention is concerned with this second basic type of latchmechanism. With this type of latch mechanism, it is conventional toprovide an elongated, gradually sloping keeper. During the last inch ortwo of closing movement of the door, the bolt rides over the graduallysloping keeper and is thus gradually moved toward its retracted positionso that the main spring becomes energized. An elongated graduallysloping keeper is employed in order to spread the work of energizing themain spring over a substantiallength of movement of the door such thatthe average force required is reasonably small. If a short keeper with arelatively sharply inclined surface were employed, the total workrequired to energize the spring would be the same, but this work wouldbe spread over a shorter length of movement of =thedoor and hence anobjectionably large force would be required to close the door. Thelarger force required with a short, steeply inclined keeper isobjectionable because of the jarring effect accompanying the closing ofthe door. However, the elongated keeper is also objectionablebecause ofits substantial protrusion beyond. the'frameof the'door opening. I

, In accordance with one embodiment of the presentin- 'vention :anadditional :member is arranged to operate intermediate 'the keeperandthe latch element which most nearly corresponds 'to the conventionalbolt member,

Which latter element would ordinarily directly contact and engage withthe keeper. The proposed intermediate 2,881,021 Patented Apr. 7-, 1 9 59 member extends a substantial distance toward the keeper when the dooris open, whereby, upon closing of the door, it may engage the keeperWhile the door still has an inch or two of closing movement. Further,this intermediate member and the bolt member have associated therewith apair of cam elements whereby movement of the intermediate member by thekeeper during the last inch or two of closing movement of the doorprovides a gradual camming of the bolt member toward its retracted'po-'sition. By this means the main latch spring, operating on the boltmember, is energized gradually without the necessity of employing anelongated keeper. The intermediate member is, in fact, a supplementarylatch member added to what may otherwise bea conventional latchmechanism and which eliminates the necessity of an elongated keeper.

This same intermediate member may also be provided in two parts,adjustable with respect to each other, whereby adjustment of theover-all mechanism to provide 'eflicient cooperation of the latch andthe keeper is provided for in this intermediate member, thus eliminatingthe necessity of an adjustably positioned keeper.

Still further, a latch mechanism constructed in accordance with thepresent invention is particularly adapted for operation from theinterior of the cabinet with which the latch mechanism is associated. Asafety release may thereby be provided, reducing the danger ofsuffocation in the event that a child is trapped in the cabinet.

Accordingly, it is another object of the invention to provide a latchmechanism of the type in which the main latch spring is energized duringthe closing of the door with which the latch mechanism is associated,such "latch mechanism having the specific improvement which provides forgradual energization of the main latch spring without the necessity ofan elongated keeper.

It is another object of the invention to provide a latch mechanism ofthe type in which the main latch spring is energized during the closingof the door with which the latch mechanism is associated, such latchmechanism having the specific improvement comprising an intermediatemember arranged between the latch bolt and the keeper, whichintermediate member provides for gradual energization of the main latchspring without the necessity o'fanelongatedkeeper.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved latchmechanism in which the latch member which engages the keeper isadjustable toward and away from the keeper whereby effective adjustmentof the relative position of the keeper and the latch mechanism isobtained with a fixed or stationary keeper.

It is another objectof the invention to provide an improved latchmechanism having one or more of the characteristics defined above andwhich is provided with means for releasing the latch mechanism fromwithin the cabinet with which the latch mechanismis associated.

It is still another object of the invention to provide an improved latchmechanism having one or more of the characteristics described abovewhile being efiicient, rugged and economical to manufacture.

This invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof,will best be understood by referenoe to the following description takenin connection with the accompanying drawings and its scope will bepointed out 3 mechanism released and the associated door partially open;

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the latch mechanism in the position itnormally occupies after the door has been'fully opened and showing thelatch mechanism proper making initial engagement with the keeper duringclosing movement of the door;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but showing the latch mechanism inthe position occupied as the door more closely approaches its closedposition;

Fig. 5 is a plan view, partially broken away, of a latch mechanismillustrating another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 6 is a similar view of another embodiment of the inventionincorporating a remote control feature, and

Fig. 7 is an elevational view of the latch mechanism of Fig. 6.

As previously indicated, this invention relates to the class of latchmechanism in which the main spring of the latch mechanism is energizedduring the closing of the door with which it is associated, such thatthe energy of this spring is available during the last fraction of aninch of closing movement to drive the door forcibly closed. In such alatch mechanism the latch bolt may be released without the necessity ofenergizing the spring, and the latch bolt returns to its normal positionwhile the door is open. Accordingly, the latch mechanism is very easilyopened and may, for example, be readily operated by a push button. Theonly time that the main spring is energized is during the closing of thedoor when the required force may be applied by the operator pushingdirectly on the door. Such a latch mechanism is disclosed and claimed inapplication Serial No. 466,471, entitled Latch Mechanism, filed November3, 1954 by Lloyd L. Anderson and assigned to the same assignee as thepresent invention, now abandoned. In said application an elongatedkeeper is provided with a gradually sloping surface whereby the workrequired to energize the spring is distributed over a substantial lengthof movement. This reduces the average force required to energize thespring. However, a greatly elongated keeper has the disadvantage thatanyone obtaining access to the interior of the cabinet may catch hisclothing on the keeper. The keepers employed with the latch mechanismshown in the draw ings may be very short and, in fact, are shown to beof the type consisting primarily of a roller or pin which cooperateswith a slot or hook on the latch mechanism proper. At the same time thelatch mechanisms illustrated in the drawings incorporate structure whichpermits the same gradual energization of the main latch spring wherebythere is eliminated the jarring effect which would result fromenergization of the main latch spring over a relatively short length ofmovement of the door.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. l-4 includes akeeper in the form of a roller 11 rotatable about a pin 12, the pinbeing rigidly supported between a pair of plates 13.

The latch mechanism proper includes a member 14 which corresponds towhat would be the bolt member in a conventional latch mechanism. Thisbolt member 14 is pivoted about a fixed pin 15. The main body of thebolt member is preferably a channel construction comprising spaced-apartplates and interconnecting web portions 16. Arranged between the platesof the bolt member is a roller 17 rotatably mounted on a pin 18.

Around the pivot pin 15 there is arranged a coil spring 19 which isrelatively heavy and comprises the main latch spring. The left-hand endof this spring bears against a web portion 16' of the latch bolt 14while the right-hand end of the spring 19 bears against a member 20which extends between the walls of the bolt 14 and which also pivotsabout the pin 15. It will be seen that if the member 20 is supported inany given position such as that shown in Fig. 1, the spring 19, bearingagainst the web portion 16', urges the latch bolt 14 in acounterclockwise direction with respect to the member 20. Such relativecounterclockwise movement of the bolt 14 is limited by engagement ofaprojection 21 on the member 20 with the web portion 16 of the boltmember. When this projection 21 is in engagement with the web portion16, further counterclockwise movement of the bolt member 14 with respectto the member 20 is prevented.

An elongated arm 22 is arranged to the right of the member 20 and ispivotally mounted on a fixed pin 23. At the upper or left-hand end ofthe arm 22 is a roller 24 rotatably mounted on a pin 25. The roller 24may engage a cam surface 26 on the member 20 as illustrated in Figs. 1,3 and 4 and if pivoted in a counterclockwise direction, it may engage arecessed cam surface 27 of the member 20.

It will be apparent that when the roller 24 is in engagement with thecam surface 26, the member 20 is restrained from clockwise movement.Under these circumstances any clockwise movement of the bolt member 14is necessarily accompanied by energization of the main spring 19, aswill be apparent by comparing Figs. 1 and 4. On the other hand, when theroller 24 is in position to engage the recessed cam surface 27, themember 20 may pivot in a clockwise direction to the position illustratedin Fig. 2. Accordingly, corresponding clockwise movement of the latchbolt 14 to its position of Fig. 2 may be accomplished with noenergization of the main spring 19. This may be seen by comparison ofFigs. 1 and 2.

It is intended that the arm 22 be operated by a suitable push button orlever arranged or extending through the outer surface of the door 26 onwhich the latch mechanism proper is mounted. Such control apparatus, ofany desired type, is arranged to pivot the arm 22 in a counterclockwisedirection against the action of a relatively light spring 27 which urgesthe arm 22 in a c1ockwise direction.

The apparatus as so far described is shown in Fig. l in its closed orlatched position. When the control apparatus moves the arm 22 to theposition of Fig. 2, the latch bolt 14, along with the member 20, is freeto pivot in a clockwise direction to a retracted or released position.Relatively little force is required to thus release the latch mechanism.After the door has been opened and the push button or other controldevice has been released, the light spring 27 pivots the arm 22 in aclockwise direction so that its roller 24 again engages the cam surface26 of the member 20. This operation is easily performed by therelatively light spring 27 since there is nothing to prevent the latchbolt 14 and the member 20 from pivoting in a counterclockwise directionback to the closed or latched position.

When the door 26 is slammed shut, the latch bolt roller 17 could, ifdesired, ride over a suitable inclined surface, such as the slopingsurface of a keeper, and cause clockwise pivotal movement of the latchbolt 14. In such a case, since the roller 24 is again in engagement withthe cam surface 26, the member 20 would be restrained from clockwisepivotal movement, and accordingly such clockwise pivotal movement of thelatch bolt 14 would necessarily be accompanied by energization of themain spring 19 as illustrated in Fig. 4. When the door 26 closelyapproached its fully closed position, the main spring 19 would beenergized such that it might drive the latch bolt roller 17 forcibly tothe left to produce the desired doorclosing force.

In view of the above, it is apparent that the latch mechanism proper asthus far described is a complete and operable mechanism. It is capableof efficient and effective operation with a conventional hook-shapedkeeper. Preferably such a keeper would have a long, gradually slopingsurface over which the bolt roller 17 may roll during closing movementof the door in order that the work required to energize the main spring19 may be spread over a substantial length of movement of the door. .Asindicated above, such 'anelon-gatedgkeeper is objectionable foraesthetic and practicalreasons. In accordance with the embodiments ofthe invention illustratedin the-drawings, the latch mechanism proper asdescribed above may be made to cooperate with a simple pin or rollertype of keeper through the use of an additional latchmember whichoperates intermediate the :bolt .roller :17 and the keeper roller :11.

The intermediate or keeper-engaging member 30 illustrated in Figs. 14 ispivotally mounted on a pin 31 and .is biased by a relatively lightspring 32 in a counterclockwise direction. The keeper-engaging member 38is provided with a slot 33 for receiving the keeper roller .11. .InFigs. 2, 3 and 4, the slot 33 is formed .in an integral keeper-engagingmember 30. However, in Fig. 1, an additional, optional feature isdisclosed in which the keeper-engaging portion of the keeper engagingmember 30 actually forms an independent -element 30a which .isadjustablewith respect to the main body of the keeperengaging .member 30. Moreparticularly, it is adjustable with respect to certain cam surfacessubsequently. to be described. The element 30a is pivotally connected bya pin 3% to the main body of the keeper-engaging member 30 and isfurther connected thereto by a screw-30c which 'threadedly engagesmember 30a and passes through a slot 30d in the member 30. With thisconstruction, illustrated in Fig. 1 only, the screw 30c may be loosenedand the element 30a pivoted about the pivot pin 30b to adjust itsposition with respect to the main body of the keeper-engaging member 30,after which the screw 300 may be tightened to maintain the desiredadjusted relafive-position.

The keeper-engaging member 30, whether itis an integral member as inFigs. 2, 3 and 4, or a two-element adjustable member as illustrated inFig. 1, has arranged thereon a pair of cam surfaces, best seen in Figs.2 and 4. Arranged on the upper edge of the keeper-engaging member 30, asviewed in Fig. 2, is a cam surface35 which is engaged by the bolt roller17 when the latch mechanism is in latched position as illustrated inFig. 'l. The

"second, elongated cam surface 36 is engaged bythe bolt roller 17 whenthe door is being closed, as illustrated in Fig. 4. The cam surface 36leads, of course, into the cam surface 35, whereby the bolt roller 17may ride along'the cam surface 36 and directly onto the cam surface 35.

Operation of the complete latch mechanism illustrated in Figs. 14 maybest be described starting with Fig. 1, where the latch mechanism isshown in latched position. The latch is released by operation ofsuitable control means to pivot the arm 22 in a counterclockwisedirection. This moves the roller 24 off the cam surface 26 and into therecessed cam surface 27 of the member 20, all as previously described.This permits movement of thelatchbolt 14- and the member 20 in aclockwise direction. Furthermore, engagement of the roller 24 with aprojection 20a on the member 20 encourages such clockwise movement ofthe member 26 and hence of the latch bolt 14. This movement draws thebolt roller '17 'o'ff'the cam surface 35 of the keeper-engaging member34) as seen in Fig. 2.

Any force now acting to open the door will draw the door open, thekeeper-engaging member 30 freelyp'ivoting in a counterclockwisedirection to release the keeper roller 11. It should be noted that thespring 32 acting on the keeper-engaging member 30 encourages suchpivotal movement of the keeper-engaging member and hence encouragesopening of the door.

With the door fully opened, the push button or other control device maybe released, whereupon the arm 22 .returns to its normal position underthe influence of the :light spring 27. Since the keeper-engaging member30 has been pivoted in a counterclockwise direction to thepositionof-Fig. 3., wherein it is out of the way of .thelatchbolt-roller 17, the latch bolt 14 and the member 20 are free .to move ina counterclockwise direction, under the influence of the light spring27., to their positions of Fig. 3.

The door 26 is'shown in "Fig. 3 nearing its closed position. With aninch .or two of closing movement still the keeper roller 11 rolls downthe side of the keeperenga'ging member 30 and forces the latter to pivotin a clockwise direction. This in turn-causes the cam surface 36 towedge the bolt roller 17 to the right, all as illustrated in Fig. 4.Since the arm 22 is now in engagement with the cam surface 26 on themember 20, the latter memberis'restrained from clockwise movement,whereby this clockwise movement of the latch bolt 14 is necessarilyaccompanied by stressing of the mainlatch bolt 19.

This operation continues until the bolt roller 17 passes off the camsurface 36 and onto the .cam surface 35. The main latch spring 19 isthen able to drive the bolt member 14 in a counterclockwise directionand force the bolt roller 17 along the cam surface 35. The shape of thecam surface 35 is such that a wedging action is obtained, whereby themain spring 19 operates with a great mechanical advantage in forcing thekeeper-engaging member 30 .a short distance in a clockwise direction.This pulls the keeper roller 11 farther in toward the latch mechanismproper, whereby the door is pulled more tightly closed to compress anysealing gasket that may be arranged between the door and the door frameof the cabinet.

By virtue of the fact that the keeper-engaging member 39 projects asubstantial distance toward the keeper when the door is open (see Fig.3) and is forcibly pivoted in a clockwise direction by the keeper duringsome two inches oftravel of the door, the keeper-engaging member 30 isable to transmit a main spring energizing-force to the bolt member overa substantial length of movement of the door. This is accomplishedspecifically by the elongated cam surface 36. The embodiment of theinvention illustrated in Figs. l-4, therefore, provides forgradualenergization of the main latch spring over a substantial length ofmovement of the associated door without the necessity of a greatlyelongated keeper.

In this same embodiment of the invention, means are provided forreleasing the latch mechanism from within the cabinet to which the latchis applied. A lever in the form of a bell crank 40 is pivotally mountedon a pin 41 which is secured to the frame of the latch mechanism. Oneend of the bell crank extends through an opening in the interior wall ofthe door 26and is thereby exposed for operation from within'the cabinet.The other end of the bell crank 40 has a roller 42 arranged thereonwhich is .in such a position as to bear against the lever or arm 22.

clockwise direction, this moves the roller 24 off the cam surface 26such that the entire latch mechanism is released. This safety releasefor operation from within the cabinet is particularly well adapted tothe latch mechanism disclosed in Figs. 1-4 by virtue of the fact that itis a latch mechanism which opens or releases very easily; that is,without the energization of the main latch spring.

The embodiment of the invention disclosed in Fig. 5 differs from theabove-described embodiment primarily in the construction of the latchmechanism proper. More particularly, the differences lie between thecontrol or operating means and that element of the latch mechanism whichcorresponds to the conventional latch bolt.

In Fig. .5 there may be seen an element 54 corresponding to the element14 of Fig. 1. As in the case of the embodiment illustrated in .Figs.1-4, this member 54 couldserve as alatch bolt and cooperate with aconveutional hook-shaped'keeper. Thebolt member 54 at "one end thereofpivots about a pin 55 and has a roller 57 mounted on a pin 58 at itsother end. A spring 59 extends around the pivot pin 55 and bearsoutwardly against web members 56 and 56' of the bolt member 54. Aslongas the ends of the spring 59 bear against these web members, the springexerts no net force urging the latch bolt 54 to pivot in one directionor the other.

To the right of the bolt member is an arm 62 which pivots about a pin63, and a roller 64 is mounted at one end of the arm on a pin 65. Alight-weight spring 57 operates, as may be clearly seen in Fig. 5, topivot the arm 62 in a clockwise direction.

When the arm 62 is in the position illustrated in Fig. 5, it will beseen that the roller 64 bears against the righthand arm of the spring59. Accordingly, clockwise movement of the bolt member 54 will cause theright-hand arm of the spring 59 to break contact with the web member 56.The spring 59 will then exert a very substantial counterclockwise torqueto the bolt member. On the other hand, if the arm 62 is rotated 21 shortdistance in a counterclockwise direction, for example by pressure of aplunger 66 thereagainst, the roller 64 is removed from its position ofFig. and is no longer in position to support the main latch spring 59.Under these circumstances the bolt member 54 may pivot in a clockwisedirection without energization of the main spring 59, since the two endsof the latter remain in contact with the web members 56 and 56' andexert equal and opposite torques to the latch bolt.

To release this latch mechanism, the plunger 66 or similar control meansis operated to cause counterclockwise movement of the arm 62 such thatthe main latch spring 59 is no longer supported thereby. The latch bolt54 is then free to pivot in a clockwise direction to release thekeeper-engaging member 30. Note further that as the arm 62 rotates in acounterclockwise direction, the roller 64 engages a web portion 56" ofthe latch bolt and thereby urges the latch bolt in a clockwisedirection.

As in the case of the embodiment illustrated in Figs. l-4, after thedoor is opened and the control means 66 are released, the relativelylight spring 57 urges the arm 62 back to its position of Fig. 5. This inturn pivots the freely moving latch bolt 54 back to its position of Fig.5. At this time the keeper-engaging member 30 is in the positionillustrated by the dotted lines in Fig. 5 and is therefore removed fromthe path of the bolt roller 57.

When the door is pushed shut, the keeper-engaging member 30 engages thekeeper roller 11 while there is still several inches of closing movementremaining. Further closing movement of the door with which this latchmechanism is associated forces the keeper-engaging member 30 to pivot ina clockwise direction such that the cam surface 36 bears against thelatch bolt roller 57 and forces the latch bolt to pivot in a clockwisedirection. Since the arm 62 and its roller 64 have returned to theposition of Fig. 5, this clockwise movement of the latch bolt 54 isnecessarily accompanied by energization of the main latch spring 59.Accordingly, when the latch bolt roller 57 passes off the cam surface 36and onto the cam surface 35, the main spring moves the roller 57forcibly to the left along the cam surface 35 and wedges the door shut.

In general the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 5 differsfrom the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1-4 byelimination of the member 20, the arm 62 of Fig. 5 bearing directlyagainst the main spring 59.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 illustratesthe invention as applied to a remote control latch mechanism.Furthermore, the latch mechanism proper is of a different type than thatillustrated in the previously described embodiments of the invention.

In Fig. 6 there may be seen a member 74 which corresponds to the latchbolt or bolt member in a more conventional latch mechanism. As in thecase of the previously described embodiments, this bolt member could, ifdesired, be made to cooperate with a conventional hookshaped keeper.

The bolt member is pivotable about a fixed pin at one end thereof andcarries at its other end a roller 77 which turns about a pin 78. Atoggle linkage is arranged to the right of the latch bolt, thiscomprising primarily links 81 and 82. The left-hand end of the link 81is pivotally connected to the latch bolt 74 by the pin 78. The link 82is pivotable about a fixed pin 83 at its righthand end, and the twolinks are interconnected by a pin 84 which is secured to the link 82 andextends through a slot 85 in the link 81. A relatively heavy spring 87is arranged around the link 81 and bears against the pin 84 at one endthereof and against a shoulder 81' at the lefthand end of the link 81.

When the links 81 and 82 are in the position illustrated in Fig. 6, thelatch bolt 74 may pivot in a clockwise direction, the pin 84 movingrelatively along the slot 85. Such movement, however, is accompanied byenergization of the main spring 87, the spring being compressed betweenthe pin 84 and the shoulder 81.

Suitable control apparatus is illustrated in Fig. 6. This includes apush button 88, a stem or shaft 89 and a guide 90. When the push button88 is pressed inwardly, the shaft 89 bears against a web portion 82 onthe link 82 such that the toggle linkage may be collapsed upwardly.Relatively little force is required to collapse the linkage as is wellrecognized in the art. Collapsing of the linkage moves the toggle linksto the position illustrated by the dotted lines in Fig. 6 and draws thefree end of the latch bolt 74 to the right in Fig. 6. This motion is, ofcourse, accomplished without energization of the main spring 87 sincethe distance between the shoulder 81 and the pin 84 remains constant,the pin 84 remaining at the right-hand end of the slot 85. A ring 91 isarranged in an annular recess in the shaft 89 and bears against theinner surface of the guide to limit outward movement of the shaft 89.This limits outward movement of the shaft 89 and prevents outwardbuckling of the toggle links 81 and 82.

The apparatus as thus far described, like corresponding apparatus in thepreviously described embodiments, might, if desired, be employed as acompletely operative latch mechanism for cooperation with a hook-shapedkeeper as is explained immediately below. This apparatus when positionedas shown by the solid lines in Fig. 6 is in its latched position. Themechanism is released by pressure against the push button 88, thiscausing collapsing of the toggle links which, in turn, pivots the latchbolt 74 in a clockwise direction. After the door is opened and the pushbutton is released, a light-weight spring 93 moves the link 82 and hencethe link 81 back to the position shown in solid lines in Fig. 6. All ofthis operation is effected without energization of the main spring 87with the exception of a very slight compression of this spring in movingthe toggle links past their dead center position during thelatch-releasing operation.

When the door is again moved toward closed position, a conventionalhook-shaped keeper might engage the latch bolt roller 77, the slopingsurface of the keeper forcing the roller to the right as the doorcloses. Since the toggle links 81 and 82 are now toggled, the resultingclockwise movement of the latch bolt 74 would cause compression of themain spring 87 between the now-fixed pin 84 and the inwardly movingshoulder 81'. When the roller 77 passes over the hook of the keeper, themain spring 87 would force the latch bolt roller to the left, wedgingthe door shut.

As in the case of the previously described embodiments of the invention,apparatus is arranged between the bolt member 74 and the keeper, and inthe case of the embodiment presently being described, this apparatus in-9 cltide's'an extension which permits control of the latch mechanism ata point remote from the keeper.

A cam member 101 is secured to a rotatable shaft 102,

seen best in Fig. 7. This shaft extends from the vicinity of the latchmechanism proper through any reasonable distance to the vicinity of thekeeper. At the lower end of the shaft 102, as viewed in Fig. 7, is akeeper-engaging element 103 which is also shown in dotted lines in Fig.6. The keeper-engaging member 103 has a slot for receiving the roller orpin 104 which constitutes the keeper. The cam member 101 has a pair ofcam surfaces 105 and 106 thereon similar to the cam surfaces 35 and 36of Figs. 1-5. When the latch mechanism is in the position illustrated bythe solid lines in Fig. 6, the latch bolt roller 77 bears against thecam surface 105 and wedges the cam element 101 in a clockwise direction.At the same time the shaft l 02 and the keeper-engaging member 103 areurged in a clockwise direction. It will be seen by reference to Fig. 6that this draws the keeper roller 104 inwardly of the latch and therebydraws the door tightly closed. When the latch mechanism proper isreleased as described above, the latch bolt roller 77 is withdrawn fromthe cam member 101, whereby the cam member and the keeper-engagingmember 103 are free to rotate in a counterclockwise direction to releasethe keeper 104. Such counterclockwise movement is in fact encouraged bya light-weight spring 107 shown at the bottom of the shaft in Fig. 7.The door is thereby permitted to open.

After the door is opened and the push button 88 is released, the togglelinks 81 and 82 return to their normal posit-ion shown in solid lines inFig. 6. Since the cam member 101, along with the keeper-engagingmember103, have been rotated in a counterclockwise direction, the cammember 101 is removed from the path of the latch bolt roller 77 wherebythe toggle links can freely return to their normal positions. When thedoor -is pushed shut, the keeper-engaging member 103 re- -engages thekeeper while there is still substantial doorclosing movement remaining.Further closing of the door causes clockwise movement of thekeeper-engaging 'member 103 and'henceof the-cammember 101. The camsurface 106 is thereby made to bear against the latch bolt-roller 77 andforce it gradually to the right. Since the toggle links 81 andSZare-againtoggled, such movement of the latch bolt 'roller isnecessarily accompanied by energizatio'n'of the main spring 87.

When the door 'is almost fully closed, the 'latch bolt roller 77 zpassesoff the cam surface 106 and onto the cam surface 105 whereupon the mainlatch spring '87 forces the latch bolt roller 77 along the cam surface105and wedges the door tightly shut.

In each of the embodiments of the invention disclosed in thedrawings anddescribed above, means'arezprov-idedfor permitting gradual energizationof the main latch spring over a substantial length of closing movementof the associated "door orother closure without the necessity"of'emp'loying "an elongated keeper with a gradually sloping surface. Itshould be noted that in the particular -'e'mbodirnents described, thisis accomplished by interposin'g a suppl'e'rnental latch member betweenthe keeper and a latch element which corresponds 'to the latch bolt of amore conventional latch 'rnechaniSm.

It has been shown, furthermore, that a latch mechanism constructed inaccordance with the invention is rea'dily provided with a safety releaseoperable from within the c'abinet with which the latch mechanism isassb'ciate'd.

"still' fuither, it has been shown that these illustrated embodiments of"the invention are particularly adapted to a novel "form of adjustmentwhereby inward and 'outward*adjustrrientofthe latch mechanism and "thekeeper fwi thres'pe'ct 'to each otheris accomplished within the theirmechanism proper, whereby the "keeper may be 1'0 fixedly mounted atleast with respect to this direction of movement. I I

While particular embodiments of the inventionhave been shown, it will beunderstood, of course, .that the invention is not limited thereto sincemany modifications may be made, and it is, therefore, contemplated tocover by the appended claims any such modifications as fall within thetrue spirit and scope of the invention.

The invention having thus been described, what is claimed and desired tobe secured by Letters Patent is:

g l. A latch mechanism cooperable with a keeper to releasably hold aclosure in closed position, said latch mechanism comprising a boltmember movable between a normal position and a retracted position,spring means engageable with said bolt member and normally urging saidbolt member toward said normal position, means for supporting saidspring means, said supporting means being movable between an activeposition, in which it supports said spring means whereby said springmeans may urge said bolt member toward said normal position, and aneutral position, in which said spring means is unsupported thereby andsaid bolt member is free to move to said retracted position withoutenergizing said spring means, and a keeper-engaging member engageablewith said bolt member and said keeper, said keeper-engaging member beingmovable between a keeper-interlocking position and a released position,one of said members having arranged thereon a cam follower, the other ofsaid members having arranged thereon a first cam surface engageable bysaid cam follower when said keeper-engaging member is closely adjacentsaid interlocking position and along which said ca-m follower may moveas said bolt member moves from its retracted position toward its normalposition under the influence of said spring means to urge saidkeeper-engaging member toward its full interlocking position, saidkeeper-engaging member when in its released position extending towardsaid keeper whereby said keeper-engaging member may initially engagesaid keeper when said closure is partially open and be moved therebytoward said keeper-interlocking position as said closure is closed, saidother member having a second, elongated, cam surface engageable by saidcam follower during such movement of said keeper-engaging member andalong which said cam follower may move to force said bolt member fromits normal position to its retracted position against the action of saidspring means.

2. A latch mechanism cooperable with a keeper to releasa'bly hold aclosure in closed position, said latch mechanism comprising a boltmember movable between a normal position and a retracted position,spring means engageable with said bolt member and normally urging saidbolt member toward said normal position, means for supporting saidspring means, said supporting means being movable between an activeposition, in which it supports said spring means whereby said springmeans may urge said bolt'member toward said normal position, and aneutral position, in which said spring means is unsupported thereby'andsaid bolt member is free to move to said re tracted position withoutenergizing said spring means,

and a keeper-engaging member engageable with said bolt member and saidkeeper, said keeper-engaging member position under-the influence of saidspring means to urge said keeper-engaging member toward .its .fullinterlocking position, said keeper-engaging member when in its releasedposition extending'towa'rd said keeper wherebyssaid keeper-engagingmember may initially engage .said keeper when said'clos'ure'ispartiall'y open an'd'be moved thereby toward saidkeeper-interlocking position as said closure is closed, said othermember having a second, elongated, cam surface engageable by said camfollower during such movement of said keeper-engaging member and alongwhich said cam follower may move to force said bolt member from itsnormal position to its retracted position against the action of saidspring means, said first and second cam surfaces extending into eachother where-by said cam follower may move from said second cam surfaceonto said first cam surface as said keeper-engaging member approachesits keeper-interlocking position.

3. A latch mechanism cooperable with a keeper to releasably hold aclosure in closed position, said latch mechanism comprising a boltmember movable between a normal position and a retracted position,spring means engageable with said bolt member and normally urging saidbolt member toward said normal position, means for supporting saidspring means, said supporting means being movable between an activeposition, in which it supports said spring means whereby said springmeans may urge said bolt member toward said normal position, and aneutral position, in which said spring means is unsupported thereby andsaid bolt member is free to move to said retracted position withoutenergizing said spring means, and a keeper-engaging member engageablewith said bolt member and said keeper, said keeper-engaging member beingmovable between a keeper-interlocking position and a released position,one of said members having arranged thereon a cam follower, the other ofsaid members having arranged thereon a first cam surface engageable bysaid cam follower when said keeper-engaging member is closely adjacentsaid interlocking position and along which said cam follower may move assaid bolt member moves from its retracted position toward its normalposition under the influence of said spring means to urge saidkeeper-engaging member toward its full interlocking position, saidkeeper-engaging member when in its released position extending towardsaid keeper whereby said keeper-engaging member may initially engagesaid keeper when said closure is partially open and be moved therebytoward said keeper-interlocking position as said closure is closed, saidother member having a second, elongated, cam surface engageable by saidcam follower during such movement of said keeper-engaging member andalong which said cam follower may move to force said bolt member fromits normal position to its retracted position against the action of saidspring means, said keeper engaging member being composed of two elementsmovable with respect to each other whereby the keeperinterlockingportion of said member may be adjustably positioned toward and away fromsaid keeper with respect to the cam element arranged thereon.

4. A latch mechanism cooperable with a keeper to releasably hold aclosure in closed position, said latch mechanism comprising a boltmember movable between a normal position and a retracted position,spring means engageable with said bolt member and normally urging saidbolt member toward said normal position, a member for supporting saidspring means, said supporting member being movable between an activeposition, in which it supports said spring means whereby said springmeans may urge said bolt member toward said normal position, and aneutral position, in which said spring means is unsupported thereby andsaid bolt member is free to move to said retracted position withoutenergizing said spring means, and a cam member engageable with said boltmember and said keeper, said cam member being movable between akeeper-interlocking position and a released position, said cam memberhaving a first cam surface engageable by said bolt member when said cammember is closely adjacent said interlocking position and along whichsaid bolt member may move from its retracted position toward its normalposition under the influence of said spring means to urge said earnmember toward its full interlocking position, said cam member when inits released position extending toward said keeper whereby said cammember may initially engage said keeper when said closure is partiallyopen and be moved thereby toward said keeper-interlocking position assaid closure is closed, said cam member having a second, elongated, camsurface engageable with said bolt member during such movement towardinterlocking position to move said bolt member from its normal positionto its retracted position against the action of said spring means.

5. A latch mechanism cooperable with a keeper to releasably hold aclosure in closed position, said latch mechanism comprising a boltmember movable between a normal position and a retracted position,spring means engageable with said bolt member and normally urging saidbolt member toward said normal position, a member for supporting saidspring means, said supporting member being movable between an activeposition, in which it supports said spring means whereby said springmeans may urge said bolt member toward said normal position, and aneutral position, in which said spring means is unsupported thereby andsaid bolt member is free to move to said retracted position withoutenergizing said means, and a cam member engageable with said bolt memberand said keeper, said cam member being movable between akeeper-interlocking position and a released position, said cam memberhaving a first cam surface engageable by said bolt member when said cammember is closely adjacent said interlocking position and along whichsaid bolt member may move from its retracted position toward its normalposition under the influence of said spring means to urge said cammember toward its full interlocking position, said cam member when inits released position extending toward said keeper whereby said cammember may initially engage said keeper when said closure is partiallyopen and be moved thereby toward said keeper-interlocking position assaid closure is closed, said cam member having a second, elongated, camsurface engageable with said bolt member during such movement towardinterlocking position to move said bolt member from its normal positionto its retracted position against the action of said spring means, saidcam surfaces extending into each other whereby said bolt member may movefrom said second cam surface onto said first cam surface as said cammember approaches said keeper-interlocking position.

6. A latch mechanism cooperable with a keeper to releasably hold aclosure in closed position, said latch mechanism comprising a boltmember movable between a normal position and a retracted position,spring means engageable with said bolt member and normally urging saidbolt member toward said normal position, a member for supporting saidspring means, said supporting member being movable between an activeposition, in which it supports said spring means whereby said springmeans may urge said bolt member toward said normal position, and aneutral position, in which said spring means is unsupported thereby andsaid bolt member is free to move to said retracted position withoutenergizing said spring means, and a cam member engageable with said boltmember and said keeper, said cam member being mov able between a keeperinterlocking position and a released position, said cam member having afirst cam surface engageable by said bolt member when said cam member isclosely adjacent said interlocking position and along which said boltmember may move from its retracted position toward its normal positionunder the influence of said spring means to urge said cam member towardits full interlocking position, said cam member when in its releasedposition extending toward said keeper whereby said cam member mayinitially engage said keeper when said closure is partially open and bemoved thereby toward said keeper-interlocking position as said closureis closed, said cam member having a second, elongated cam surfaceengageable with said bolt member during cam member being composed oftwoelements movable. with respectto each other whereby the keeperinterlock-l ing portion of said cam member may be adjustably' positionedtoward and away from said keeper. with respectto said first-mentionedcam surface.

7. A latch mechanism cooperable with: a keeper toreleasably hold aclosure in closed position with respect to a cabinet, said latchmechanism comprising a, bolt member movable between a normal positionand; a re.- tracted position, spring means engageable with said boltmember and normally urging said" bolt member toward said normalposition, a member for supporting said spring means, said supportingmember being movable between an activeposition, in which it supportssaid spring means whereby said spring means may'ur'ge said bolt membertoward said normal position, and a, neutral position, in which saidspring means is unsupportedthereby' and s'aid bolt member is free tomove to' said retracted position without energizing said spring means, acam member engageable with said bolt member and said keeper, said cammember being movable between a keeper interlocking position and areleased position, said cam member having a first cam surface engageableby said bolt rnember when said cam member is closely adjacent saidinterlocking position and along which said bolt member may move from itsretracted position toward its normal position under the influence ofsaid spring means to urge said cam member toward its full interlockingposition, said cam member when in its released position extending towardsaid keeper whereby said cam member may initially engage said keeperwhen said closure is partially open and be moved thereby toward saidkeeper-interlocking position as said closure is closed, said cam memberhaving a second, elongated, cam surface engageable with said bolt memberduring such movement toward interlocking position to move said boltmember from its normal position to its retracted position against theaction of said spring means, and a control member arranged on saidclosure and operable from within said cabinet for moving said supportingmember to said neutral position.

8. A latch mechanism cooperable with a keeper to releasably hold aclosure in closed position, said latch mechanism comprising a boltmember pivotable between a normal position and a retracted position,spring means engageable with said bolt member and normally urging saidbolt member to pivot toward said normal position, a member forsupporting said spring means, said supporting member being pivotablebetween an active position, in which it bears against and supports saidspring means whereby said spring means may urge said bolt member towardsaid normal position, and a neutral position, in which said spring meansis unsupported thereby and said bolt member is free to pivot to saidretracted position without energizing said spring means, a cam memberengageable with said bolt member and said keeper, said cam member beingpivotable between a keeper interlocking position and a releasedposition, said cam member having a first cam surface engageable by saidbolt member when said cam member is closely adjacent said interlockingposition and along which said bolt member may move from its retractedposition toward its normal position under the influence of said springmeans to urge said cam member toward its full interlocking position,said cam member when in its released position extending toward saidkeeper whereby said cam member may initially engage said keeper whensaid closure is partially open and be pivoted thereby toward saidkeeper-interlocking position as said closure is closed, said cam memberhaving a second, elongated, cam surface engageable with said bolt memberduring such movement toward interlocking position to pivot said boltmember from its normal position to its retracted position against theaction of said spring means, a'nd control means for pivoting saidsupportje ing; member to said neutral position whereby; said; bolt;member may, readily movev to its retracted position and said cam membermay move to its released position,

9. A latch mechanism. cooperable with a keeper to releasably hold aclosure. in closed position, saidlatelr mechanism comprising a boltmember pivotable between a normal position and a retracted position,spring mean sengageable with said bolt member and normallyurging saidbolt member to pivot toward said normal position, toggle links forsupporting said spring means, said. togglelinks when-toggled supportingsaid spring means whereby said spring means may urge said; bolt membertowardsaidnormal position, said toggle links, when, untoggled leavingsaid spring means unsupported whereby said bolt member is free to pivotto said retracted position without energizing'said spring means, a; cammember engageable with said bolt member and" said keeper, said cam-mornber being pivotable between a keeper interlocking position and areleased position, said cam member having a first cam surface engageableby said bolt member when said cam member is, closely adjacent saidinterlocking position and along which said bolt member may move from itsretracted position toward its normal position under the influence ofsaid spring means to urge said cam member toward its full interlockingposition, said cam member when in its released position extending towardsaid keeper whereby said cam member may initially engage said keeperwhen said closure is partially open and be moved thereby toward saidkeeper-interlocking position as said closure is closed, said cam memberhaving a second, elongated, cam surface engageable with said bolt memberduring such movement toward interlocking position to pivot said boltmember from its normal position to its retracted position against theaction of said spring means, and control means for untoggling saidtoggle links whereby said bolt member may readily move to its retractedposition and said cam member may move to its released position.

10. A latch mechanism cooperable with a keeper to releasably hold aclosure in closed position, said latch mechanism comprising a boltmember movable between a normal position and a retracted position,spring means engageable with said bolt member and normally urging saidbolt member toward said normal position, a member for supporting saidspring means, said supporting member being movable between an activeposition, in which it supports said spring means whereby said springmeans may urge said bolt member toward said normal position and aneutral position, in which said spring means is unsupported thereby andsaid bolt member is free to move to said retracted position withoutenergizing said spring means, and a cam member engageable with said boltmember and said keeper, said cam member being movable between akeeper-interlocking position and a released position, said cam memberhaving a first cam surface engageable by said bolt member when said cammember is closely adjacent said interlocking position and along whichsaid bolt member may move from its retracted position toward its normalposition under the influence of said spring means to urge said cammember toward its full interlocking position, said cam member when inits released position extending toward said keeper whereby said cammember may initially engage said keeper when said closure is partiallyopen and be moved thereby toward said keeper-interlocking position assaid closure is closed, said cam member having a second, elongated, camsurface extending into said first cam surface and being shaped such thatthe distance from the pivotal axis of said cam member increases as saidfirst cam surface is approached, said second cam surface engageable withsaid bolt member during such movement toward interlocking position tomove said bolt member from its normal position to its retracted positionagainst the action of said spring means.

11. A latch mechanism cooperable with a keeper to releasably hold aclosure in closed position, said latch mechanism comprising a boltmember movable between a normal position and a retracted position,spring means engageable with said bolt member and normally urging saidbolt member toward said normal position, a member for supporting saidspring means, said supporting member being movable between an activeposition, in which it supports said spring means whereby said springmeans may urge said bolt member toward said normal position and aneutral position, in which said spring means is unsupported thereby andsaid bolt member is free to move to said retracted position withoutenergizing said spring means, and a cam member engageable with said boltmember and said keeper, said cam member being movable between akeeper-interlocking position and a released position, said cam memberhaving a first cam surface engageable by said bolt member when said cammember is closely adjacent said interlocking position and along whichsaid bolt member may move from its retracted position toward its normalposition under the influence of said spring means to urge said cammember toward its full interlocking position, said cam member when inits released position extending toward said keeper whereby said cammember may initially engage said keeper when said closure is partiallyopen and be moved thereby toward said keeper-interlocking position assaid closure is closed, said cam member having a second, elongated, camsurface extending into said first cam surface and being shaped such thatthe distance from the pivotal axis of said cam member increases as saidfirst cam surface is approached, said second cam surface engageable withsaid bolt member during such movement toward interlocking position tomove said bolt member from its normal position to its retracted positionagainst the action of said spring means, said first cam surface formingan obtuse angle with said second cam surface whereby the movement ofsaid bolt member along said first cam surface under the influence ofsaid spring means will cause said cam member to forcefully move to itskeeper-interlocking position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS868,086 Hanson Oct. 15, 1907 1,789,775 Russ Jan. 20, 1931 2,193,488Morley Mar. 12, 1940 2,210,495 North Aug. 6, 1940 2,381,633 Young Aug.7, 1945 2,508,090 Beems May 16, 1950 2,679,428 Rop May 25, 19542,767,007 Burke Oct. 16, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 962,447 France June 9,1950 1,039,871 France Oct. 12, 1953

